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Gardening Basics

Top 5 Gardening Tips for Rookies

No one is a green thumb right from the start. After all, it takes some time to learn the fundamentals of vegetable and herb gardening. Here are a few essentials to keep in mind when starting your first garden.

No one is a green thumb right from the start. After all, it takes some time to learn the fundamentals of vegetable and herb gardening. Here are a few essentials to keep in mind when starting your first garden.

1. Plant in a sunny spot.

You’re garden needs to be in a space that has enough sunlight. Plants get the energy they need from sunlight, and if they don’t have it they simply won’t grow well. Most veggies and herbs need 6 hours of “full“ sunlight per day. Some vegetables and herbs can still grow in “part shade“ areas. Each Bonnie Plant® comes with a tag that tells you how much sunlight the plant will need.

2. Use the right soil.

“Dirt‚ isn“t all the same. Most plants won’t grow in soil that is too soggy, hard, rocky, or lacking in nutrients. What plants really need is well-draining, nutrient-rich soil . Mix 3 inches of Miracle-Gro® Garden Soil for Vegetables & Herbs in with the top 6 to 8 inches of existing soil.

3. Give plants space to grow.

Your plants need some personal space. You don’t want them to have to fight for sunlight, water, or nutrients. A small plant will get bigger over time. Be sure to follow the spacing guidelines found on each Bonnie Plant tag.

4. Water properly.

Over-watering can cause the roots to rot, while under-watering means the plant isn’t getting the nutrients it needs to grow. Most vegetables and herbs need about 1 inch of water per week (more when it’s hot outside). Check the soil before watering by sticking your finger into it about an inch; if the soil is dry, then your plants need a drink.

5. Feed your plants.

Water and sunlight are good, but plants need a steady diet of plant food, too. That’s because plants remove nutrients from the soil as they grow, and those nutrients need to be replaced in order to get the best harvest. A month after planting, feed your plants with Miracle-Gro® Shake ’N Feed® All Purpose Plant Food.

Follow these simple tips and your thumb will get green in no time at all.

Miracle-Gro® Garden Soil All Purpose is enriched with continuous release plant food to help get plants off to a great start. It will feed them up to 3 months and improve the existing soil so your plants can build strong roots.